The Evofinder® is a scanning device which generates digital images of bullets and cartridge cases for examination, comparison, and automated searches within existing databases. Built with 4-motor mechanics, the Evofinder® provides high-quality recording of bullets, including heavily deformed ones, and incorporates a universal cassette to mount and orient both types of samples in a compact, light-weight, and portable scanning device. Other features include:

Illuminating bullets and cartridge cases under a microscope presents a challenge due to their cylindrical shape. When illuminated from above, the light reflecting off the top of the sample is at a near vertical angle and produces a strong “bloom” of light, whereas the light reflecting off the sides of a sample is at an oblique angle and is much less intense. This results in images with unbalanced light intensity. High Dynamic Range (HDR) algorithms compensate for these differences by imaging each area of the sample with different camera exposures, combining the best exposures for each region into a single image.

Standard image of cartridge casing.

HDR image of cartridge casing.

Features Included in the CMOS5 HDR Camera:

High Dynamic Range (HDR): HDR imaging at the click of a button.

Speed/High Resolution: 5.1Mp Captured image resolution with over 60 frames per second (fps).

Measurements: The software offers a menu of different measurement tools, all of which are supported by an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited Certificate of Accuracy.

Annotations: On-screen annotations for details such as case number, image capture date, etc. Software includes a notepad feature that is linked directly to the image for additional documentation.

To learn more about this camera and other products available for your Leeds comparison microscopes, please contact Leeds or call 763.546.8575

I would like to thank the entire Leeds organization for this opportunity to study the fields of my dreams! Without scholarships like this I would have no way of affording to go to college. I have grown in so many ways because of the University and Leed’s, that there are not enough “thank you’s” in the world to express it.

]]>https://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2018/09/19/uco-announces-second-recipient-of-leeds-forensic-scholarship/feed/0Leeds Forensic Scholarship Recipient Announced at University of Central Oklahomahttps://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2018/06/28/leeds-forensic-scholarship-recipient-announced-at-university-of-central-oklahoma/
https://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2018/06/28/leeds-forensic-scholarship-recipient-announced-at-university-of-central-oklahoma/#commentsThu, 28 Jun 2018 19:27:25 +0000http://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/?p=1261Continue reading →]]>Leeds is please to announce the recent selection of the first of two Leeds sponsored scholarship recipients at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Dr. Dwight Adams, Director, Forensic Science Institute, UCO

Dwight Adams, Ph.D., director of the Forensic Science Institute at UCO, stated in a recent email:

“For the past two years, LEEDS Forensic Systems have partnered with the Forensic Science Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) by providing scholarships to forensic science students. LEEDS comparison microscopes are internationally acclaimed and highly regarded in the forensic science community. UCO utilizes LEEDS microscopes in firearm and toolmark analysis and training as they are the most commonly used instruments in federal, state, and local crime laboratories in the United States and around the world. By utilizing LEEDS comparison microscopes, our students are able to train on the same instruments they will be using in their forensic science careers. Undergraduate student Abigail Smart was selected

Abigail Smart, the first recipient of Leeds scholarship at University of Central Oklahoma.

as the first recipient for the LEEDS scholarship. She has excelled in her pursuit of a forensic science degree and was recognized by the LEEDS scholarship for her excellence in Firearm and Toolmark courses at UCO.”

Abigail will begin her Master of Arts in Crime and Intelligence Analysis at UCO in the fall of 2018. She plans to pursue a career as a Crime Scene Investigator or Crime Analyst.

UCO Forensic Science Institute purchased a Leeds LCF comparison microscope for instructional use in their teaching laboratory. Leeds is honored to partner with such an exceptional forensic education program, educating future forensic scientists.

Please note:Important Grants.gov Notice! Grants.gov’s legacy PDF application package was retired on December 31, 2017. Grants.gov Workspace is now the standard application method. Read the Grants.gov blog post that summarizes this transition and provides links to resources for applying for grants using Workspace.

Per the Paul Coverdell solicitation, laboratories can “funds may be used to upgrade, lease, or purchase forensic laboratory or medical examiner/coroner’s office equipment and instrumentation” The Evofinder® Automated Ballistics Identification system, which Leeds represents exclusively in the United States, can qualify for such purchase under this program. In laboratories where bullet and cartridge samples from a crime scene need to be matched prior to completing the DNA evidence processing, the Evofinder® can facilitate this process by providing a tool capable of quickly scanning and comparing both sample types to compare samples from a crime scene. By reducing the backlog and waiting period for sample comparison, DNA evidence can then be processed in a more timely fashion. At the same time, scanned samples can simultaneously be compared with any other sample previously entered into the Evofinder® database to show associations between new evidence samples and those collected from previous crime scenes.

would also qualify under the Coverdell Program. This innovative design includes two large 9”x7” stages with 3-axis motion that provides 95 mm x 95 mm stage travel can be controlled by various means, including an optional 3D navigation mouse (1 per stage). These large platform stages easily mount Leeds’ Universal sample holders and are ideal for analysis of large tool marks samples or other over-sized pieces of forensic evidence.

Leeds offers a competitive trade-in program if your lab is interested in trading in old microscopes towards the purchase of new Leeds’ products.

Leeds is pleased to announce the recent installation of the first Trace-Z Comparison Microscope, a trace evidence comparison microscope designed by Leeds and built with Zeiss optics, at the Arkansas State Crime Lab.

The first Discovery-Z Comparison Microscope installed at DC Department of Forensic Sciences.

The DC Department of Forensic Sciences Firearm Examiners Unit Manager, Jonathan Pope, stated, “The Discovery-Z is an excellent microscope. Currently we are using it as a communal microscope, where each of my examiners have a chance to experience it’s ease of use. The feedback that I have received is that the Discovery-Z is technologically advanced, yet super user friendly. Leeds certainly has a winner with this new microscope, because it was built around the specific needs of the firearms examiner.”

Leeds is proud to work with these outstanding laboratories to assist in fulfilling their forensic analysis equipment needs. If you have questions or would like to learn more about Leeds products, please contact Leeds at (763)546-8575.

Last week PoliceOne released a summary of federal funding proposed in 2018 for law enforcement agencies. To read the article, please click on Grants for Law Enforcement.

We encourage our blog readers to review these opportunities as several of our customers have utilized similar funding opportunities to purchase equipment for their forensic laboratories. Some of these opportunities specifically identify how funds can be utilized. In the case of Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program, the solicitation lists, “Funds may be used to upgrade, lease, or purchase forensic laboratory or medical examiner/coroner equipment and instrumentation”.

Other noteworthy news is the announcement on the NIJ website: Important Grants.gov Notice! Grants.gov’s legacy PDF application package will be retired on December 31, 2017. Grants.gov Workspace is now the standard application method. Read the Grants.gov blog post that summarizes this transition and provides links to resources for applying for grants using Workspace.

In addition, we have created a Grant & Funding Resource webpage which lists several funding opportunities including links to their websites to assist our customers.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Leeds sales staff to discuss your laboratory’s equipment needs.

]]>https://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2017/11/21/summary-of-2018-fed-funding-for-law-enforcement/feed/0Leeds Announces Forensic Science Scholarships at University of Central Oklahomahttps://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2017/08/03/leeds-scholarship-uco/
https://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2017/08/03/leeds-scholarship-uco/#commentsThu, 03 Aug 2017 14:18:28 +0000http://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/?p=1179Continue reading →]]>Leeds Forensic Systems is pleased to announce our support of the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Instituteby offering two scholarships. The University of Central Oklahoma has been a customer of Leeds since 2009.

The Leeds Forensic Systems, Inc. Scholarship is available to in-state, out-of-state, and international students currently enrolled full-time as graduate students or Junior/Senior undergraduate students in the Forensic Science program. Preference will be given to students focusing on a career in Firearm and Toolmark Analysis with a 3.0 GPA or above. Students may apply for this monetary award annually by completing and submitting the FSI Scholarship application by February 15, 2018. Please click on the Scholarship Eligibility Requirements link below for additional eligibility requirements.

Requirements for Eligibility:

Student must be a declared Forensic Science student and currently enrolled full-time in the master’s or undergraduate (Junior/Senior) program.

Student must provide a UCO transcript showing an overall 3.0 GPA or above in all coursework.

Student must be enrolled full-time (9 hours for graduate students or 12 hours for undergraduate student) each semester the scholarship is received.

Preference will be given to students focusing on a career in Firearm and Toolmark Analysis.

]]>https://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2017/08/03/leeds-scholarship-uco/feed/0How to Upgrade your Existing Leeds Firearms Comparison Microscopehttps://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2017/08/01/how-to-upgrade-your-existing-leeds-firearms-comparison-microscope/
https://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/2017/08/01/how-to-upgrade-your-existing-leeds-firearms-comparison-microscope/#commentsTue, 01 Aug 2017 20:00:08 +0000http://www.leedsmicro.com/blog/?p=1173Continue reading →]]>Since the sale of Leeds first comparison microscope in 1999, our sales and service teams have been dedicated to providing exceptional customer service to our growing number of forensic customers.

To meet the needs of our customers, Leeds offers various microscope accessories, and upgrade options, all of which can extend the functional life of the microscope.

Leeds Third Eyepiece and Pin Mount Holder Tray

Leeds’ comparison microscope Upgrade Options Flyer highlights a variety of optional accessories, ranging from the Coarse to Fine Focus Upgrade to the Third Eyepiece Holder. Many of these upgrades can be easily added to existing microscope and allow for more versatility while keeping costs down.

Coarse to Fine Focus Upgrade

In addition, Leeds offers an aggressive trade-in program to assist laboratories interested in purchasing a new comparison microscope.

On May 13, 2017, Leeds’ CEO, John Crouch, and nine other family members, attended the 29th Annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. at which his great-grandfather, Thomas Nicholson was inducted into the Memorial. Thomas Nicholson was the Town Marshal in Gowrie, IA, and was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 11, 1908. There are now approximately 21,000 fallen law enforcement officers enrolled in the Memorial which includes officers from all 50 states, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement agencies, and military police agencies.